Tips for living well at any age – your 60’s

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Your 60’s are often a time of change with many people retiring at some point during this decade. This can be both rewarding and challenging. Retirement allows us the time to enjoy life and do all the things we love doing, such as gardening, travelling, cooking, fishing or taking up new hobbies we’ve always wanted to learn. Faced with increased life expectancy, retirement may also bring financial stress and worry for some. This may mean some of us choose to work beyond traditional retirement age. In either case, looking after your health is as important as ever. Here are some suggestions for maintaining your health throughout your 60’s.

Get your hearing tested

Up to 30 percent of people over the age of 60 have some degree of hearing loss. If left untreated, this can impact on a person’s ability to perform well at work and enjoy social interactions. Fortunately, the majority of hearing loss is treatable, so it’s important to get a screening test done. It’s recommended that you get a test once every three years.1

Protect your bones

Osteoporosis is a serious condition that causes your bones to become weak and brittle. Half of all women and a third of men over the age of 60 in Australia will have a fracture due to osteoporosis. This is an important health issue, as 50 percent of those who experience an osteoporotic fracture will be unable to walk without help, or continue to live independently in their own homes.2 A bone density test to diagnose osteoporosis is therefore recommended for all women over the age of 65.1 Speak to your doctor about your osteoporosis risk and how you can prevent it.

Eat a heart friendly diet

Heart health becomes progressively more important as we age. Your 60’s is a good time to concentrate on eating a diet that will continue to support your heart in years to come. Try and eat a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, fruit, lean meats, low fat dairy, oily fish and seed oils. Remember to avoid saturated and trans fats as much as possible.3 Saturated fats increase LDL (bad) cholesterol and trans fats increase LDL (bad) cholesterol and also lower HDL (good) cholesterol.4 Examples of saturated fats include cheese, pizza, animal products such as sausages, bacon, hot dogs and ribs, as well as butter, lard, coconut oil and palm oil. Trans fats are found in margarine and snack foods such as biscuits and cakes.5

Always read the label. Use only as directed. Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet.